Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); variety unknown, likely a common commercial cultivar based on blade width.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; good cold tolerance; stays green through much of winter in the transition zone.
About This Grass
A robust, coarse to medium-textured grass forming dense individual clumps. It maintains a deep green color year-round in temperate climates and features upright growth. Seed heads are large, open panicles identifying it as a bunch grass.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (4-10mm); flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip; dark green color; rolled vernation in the bud; prominent veins on the upper surface with a glossy underside. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (short hairs may be present).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet); low thatch tendency; slow recovery from heavy wear since it does not spread via stolons.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); occasionally produces short rhizomes but lacks aggressive spreading capabilities.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; requires 4-6 hours of sun; moderate water needs; excellent drought tolerance due to deep roots; prefers pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; weekly mowing; requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; low to medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding to maintain density.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance once established; high drought resistance; moderate shade tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses; susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides forage for livestock; excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes; often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass for improved traffic recovery.